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H. E. WHITE.

METAL ExPANmNG MACHINE.

APPLiCATlON FILED 056.11. i920.

1,417,706. Patented May 3o, 1922.-

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APPLICATION FILED DEC. 1l. 1920.

1,417,706. Patented May 30, 1922.

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MrA/Esses H. E. WHITE.

METAL EXPANDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEc.II. |920.

1,417,706. PanIedMay 3o, 1922.

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HERBERT E. WHITE, OF YOUNGS'IOWN. OHIOy ASSIGNOR TO THETRUSCON STEEL COM- PANY, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, A. CORPORATION 0F MICHIGAN.

METAIi--EXPANDING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 30, 1922.

Application tiled December 11, 1920. Serial No. 430,031.

To all who/nt it may con-ccm:

Be it known that l. lclunuun'r Fi. 'urrn, citizen of the United States, residing at Youngstown, in the county of Mahoning and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvement-s in liletal-llxpanding Machines, which the following is a specitication.

This invention relates to metal expanding machines, particularly of the type wherein the opposite edges of a slitted sheet metal blank are guided along diverging paths. causing a lateral spreading ol the blank, in fan-like formation, thereby opening the slits into meshes.

In machines of the type referred to, it has been found practically impossible to grasp the sheet tightly enough, between the feeding members or rollers. to prevent the same slipping out laterally or sidewise. thus inaking the operation of expanding a slitted metal sheet, in such type oiE machine, unreliable and expensive.

Accordingly, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a novel association of instruinentalities, in combination with divergently related expanding means, operating to expeditiously and accurately hainlle a previously slitted metal sheet to uniformly expand the same. without possibility of sidewise or lateral displacement ol the sheetI during the expanding action. To that end. the invention contemplates an improvement which utilizes the physical formation of the sheet as a part of the means to definitely and positively interlock it with the feeding members and guides, whereby the sheet will be held to a lixed path of movement, and absolutely prevented from slipping out of position at any stage of the operation. This permits the machine to be operated at a maximum speed without danger ol the sheet moving out of its proper path or without danger of a defective expanding' action.

TWith the above and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consist-s in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a side elevation of a machine embodying the present improvements.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View of the machine showing the upper jaw of the expanding means.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken transversely of the upper and lower jaws, and illustrating the manner iu which the slitted blank interlocks with the feeding means.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of one of the expander jaws showing the stationary dies and rotatable feeding rollers.

Figure 6 is a vertical cross sectional View taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a more or less diagrammatic view illustrating the manner of engagement between the feed rolls and the blank in openino' the slits into meshes.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic View of the upper and lower jaws, showing the relative relation thereof to the superposed rolls of the blank feeding unit.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the form of slitted blank upon which the machine operates.

Figure l0 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of the blank shown in Figure i, showing the raised and depressed strands", producing the grooves which interlock with the feeding instrumentalities as clearly shown in Figure 4.

Similar reference numerals designate similai parts throughout the several figures ot' the drawings.

As previously indicated, the improvements, constituting the present invention, possess special utility in their application to a type ot machine employing divergently related expanding members which provide for a fan-like opening of the slitted blank as it is pushed through the machine by the feeding instrumentalities. The slitted blank is of a grooved or channeled formation and the grooves thereof register and interlock with the feeding and guiding elements carried by the said expanding members. Therefore, in

carrying forward the invention a distinguishing feature thereof is in utilizing a grooved or channeled slitted sheet in coinbination with feeding and guiding means vhaving a direct interlocking engagement mation of longitudinally extending grooves or channels. In the drawings these longitudinally extending grooves or channels are designatedbythe reference letter a lying between the rows of raised strands Z) at one side of the sheet and between the rows of depressed strands c at the opposite side thesheet. Thus, the slitted blank presents grooves in both faces thereof thereby adapting the sheet mechanically to cooperate with the-feedingand guiding units of the present machine in the manner to be hereinafteir more fully set forth.

Referring particularly to the structural features of the machine, equipped with the present improvements, it will be noted that the same generally includes in its organization a suitable frame or stand 1 provided at one end thereof with a feeding table 2 for the unslitted blank. This feeding table leads to a suitable form of cutting mechanism designated 'by the letter C and principally comprising the cutting and slitting rollers 3 and 4 which produce a slitted blank having the grooved or channeled formation referred to.

VAfter the blank has been operated upon bythe slitting and cutting rollers 3 and 4 it passes through the strippers 5 and also through the guideway 6 of the feeding table 7. to the novel feeding and guiding unit G. The unit G is of special construction to adapt the machine to the grooved type of fabric. To that end the feed rollers 8 and 9 are provided with parallel annular ribs 10 respectively which interfit with the grooves a Vin the slitted blank to thereby positively engage and guide the same as it is delivered to the expanding means. It will therefore be apparent. that after the slitted blank is out or slitted by the rollers 3 and 4 to produce the formation shown in Figures 9 and 10, `its rib and. groove characteristic is preserved and utilized by the primary ribbed feeding and guiding rollers 8 and 9 to thus positively'grip and hold the sheet against slipping until the extreme end of the slitted blank has been properly gripped by the feeding instrumentalities of the divergent jaws J and J constituting the expanding means.

The feeding and guiding jaws J and J are of identical construction and embody the same structural features for gripping and guiding the slitted blank. And, for the purpose of adjusting the said jaws .in proper divergent relation with reference to each other, the inner ends thereof are pivotally supported as at 11 on the standards l2 which carry the primary feeding and guiding rollers 8 and 9, while the outer ends thereof are adjustably attached as at w, to the slotted standards 13 and 14 carried by the main frame 1. As will be observed from Figure 2, the jaws J and J are provided with the expanding edges E and E arranged divergently laterally, or in the plane of feed of the slitted sheet, while the said upper and lower jaws J and J also diverge vertically from the plane of the slitted sheet to produce the fan-like expansion thereof as the sheet is pushed through the aws.

A particular feature of the present invention is, that each of the expander jaws is equipped with a progressively arranged series of ribbed feeding and guiding units cooperating with Vthe primary ribbed feeding rollers 8 and 9 to properly feed, guide and hold the sheet throughout the expanding operation. In this expanding operation, as the slitted blank is delivered from the primary feeding and guiding rollers 8 and 9, the central portion thereof will be gripped by the first set of the feeding and guiding units of the opposite expander jaws, and as each succeeding unit of the picks up the slitted blank it will be expanded laterally by reason of the diverging relation of the jaws with respect to the normal flat plane of the sheet. while the margins or edges of the sheet are tightly held or gripped by the interlocking engagement of the grooved sheet with the ribbed feeding and guiding units as shown in Figure 4 for example.

Referring more specifically to the novel structural features and arrangement of the feeding and guiding units carried by the divergently related jaws J and J it will be observed from Figures 3. 4 and 5 that each of said units essentially comprises a pair of upper and lower feed rolls 20 and 21, each roll having upon its periphery a series of parallel annular ribs 23 of a width fractionally less than the width of the grooves fr, in the slitted blank, so as to interlock with said grooves of the blank to compel a straight movement thereof and locking the sheet against lateral displacement or sidewise slipping. At the same time the ribs 23 of the feeding rolls frictionally grip the blank with sufficient firmness to positively propel or push the same through the channel orpass formed between the ribs 24 and 24a projecting from the adjacent faces of the complemental die members 25 and 26. These die members 25 and 26, together with the feed rolls 2O and 21, constitute the feeding and guiding unit for feeding, guiding and holding the grooved and slitted blank during its passage through the expander jaws J and J.

It will be seen from the drawings that the guiding die members 25 and 26 of each expander jaw are arranged successively one in advance of the other but have a progressive inwardly off-set relation as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 5 of the drawings, whereby the entire series of the die members or plates, for each jaw, will be arranged at the edge of the jaw along a line oblique to the line of blank feed. At the same time the guiding die members or plates of each jaw are disposed in matching relation, that is with their ribs in parallel and continuing relation so that there will be continuous communication between the ribbed and grooved faces of the abutting die plates or members in order that the groove-d slitted blank may freely slide over and through the ribbed surfaces of the die members or plates as the blank is advanced or pushed by the action of the ribbed feed rolls. lfurtherinorejt is preferable in constructing the die guiding plates or members 25 and 2U to form on their outer slanting or oblique faces, shoulders 26I which are arranged in progressively stepped relation thus providing a construction wherein the inner faces of the expander jaws are not only formed along an inclined or oblique line but are of a continuous stepped 'formation as clearly shown in the detail plan view of Figure 5 of the drawings. This stepped edge construction has heretofore been designated as E-E for the respective jaws and facilitates the release of the blank over the edges of the jaws as it is expanded.

As shown very clearly in Figures Je and (3 'oit' the drawings the ribbed feeding rolls 2() and 21 are arranged immediately adjacent the guiding dies 25 and 26 at the inner sides of the latter so that the said rolls and dies combine to form a ribbed and grooved pass through which the slitted blank is advanced by a pushing action on the feeding rolls. By reason of this relation of the feeding rolls to the guiding dies along the side of the same. the said feeding rolls carried by each aw are necessarily arranged in progressively divergent relation as may best be seen from illustration of Figure 5 of the drawings.

Any suitable driving means may be employed 'for imparting positive rotation to the feeding rolls carried by both the expander jaws. However for illustrative purposes there is shown the form of drive that may be utilized. This drive includes suitably mounted spindles which carry the 'feeding rolls 2l) and 21 and referring particularly to the arrangement of the parts of the drive shown in the drawings it will be seen that the lower feeding roll 21 is carried by a spindle 30 suitably journalled as at 3l in the jaw frame 32 and carrying at its outer' end the driving gear 33 meshing with the driving gear 34 carried by the shaft or spindle 35 of the upper feed rolls 2O (see Fig 6). Thus. the upper' and lower rolls of each feeding unit are driven by the intermeshing gears 33 and 34;, and for the purpose of transmitting motion from the gears of one unit to the next the transfer gears 3G may be used. Suitable adjusting screws S or their equivalent may be employed for shifting the journals of one roll with reference to the other to regulate or adjust the pass between the ribbed portion of the feed rolls; and7 as also shown in Figure 6. the die members 25 and 2G may be dctzuehably fitted to the proper parts of the jaw frame 32 by fastenings 37 or the like.

For the purpose of actuating the gears 313 and 34e on the. shafts of the ribbed feeding and guiding rolls, a driving gear 38 may be provided for each of the jaws, the same meshing with the gear 34 of the first feeding and guiding unit of the lower jaw J Fig. i) and with the gear 33 ol the first feeding and guiding unit of the upper jaw J. 'lhe said driving gaar 3S may be driven by the gear 39 carried upon the shaft et() which receives its power through the gear -itl meshing with the relatively large driving gear 42 which in turn receives its power from the main drive gear 43 carried by shaft journalled in the main frame. The said relatively large gear 42 also serves to drive the gears 3 and 4a upon the cutting and slitting rollers 3 and 4 as will be seen from Figure l and, also through the gear 41 on shaft 4d). drives the primary ribbed feeding and guiding rollers 8 and 9 of the unit G.

From the 'foregoing it will be apparent that the novel and distinguishing characteristieI of the present invention is the provision of the feeding and guiding devi-ces so designed and arranged as to function with a grooved formation of slitted blank. so that as such blank is opened out into meshes by reason of the divergent relation of the expander jaws the opposite edges of the blank will remain firmly interlocked with not only the feeding rolls but with the guiding dies until the last strands of the sheet are opened into meshes. It is on account of this particular combination of elements, together with the grooved character of the sheet that the latter is tightly held against slipping or displacement at any stage of the expanding operation. lt is therefore possible, in an expanding machine provided with the `improvements herein described to operate the machine at great speed while at the same being assured of a uniform and properly expanded product.

l claim 1. A metal expanding machine including a pair divergent expander jaws, guides at the edges of the jaws having an interlocking engagement with the e' e portion of the sheet, and feeding means ier ai'lvancing the sheet over the guides.

2. A metal expanding machine including. apair of divergent expander ribbed guides at the edges of the jaws, and ribbed feeding devices cooperating with said guides.

3. A metal expanding machine including an expander'member having a ribbed and grooved guiding pass extending lengthwise th reof, and feeding means for advancing a slitted grooved sheet tlnough said pass.

il. A metal expanding machine including an expander' member provided one edge thereof with a ribbed and groovcd guiding pass adapted to interlock with a slittcd groovedsheet, and ribbed feeding elements arranged at one side of the pass and having an interlocking` and .feeding engagement with the sheet.

5. A metal expanding machine incauding an expander member provided at .one edge with superimposed ribbed "ng dies forming between them a ribbed and grooved guiding pass, and superimposed pairs of ribbed feeding rolls arranged at one side of the said pass and having an interlocking and feeding engagement with the sheet.

6. A metal expanding machine including a pair of divergent expander jaws each of which jaws is provided along one edge 'with ribbed guiding dies having an interlocking engagement with a grooved slitted sheet. and progressively arranged pairs of ribbed feeding rolls carried by each aw at one side the dies and having an interlocking and feeding engagement with the sheet.

7. A metal expanding machine including a pair of divergent expander aws carrying ribbed feeding and guiding elements having interlocking engagement with a grooved slitted blank, and a primary set of ribbed feeding rollers arranged adjacent the convergently disposed ends of the jaws.

8. A metal expanding machine including a pair of divergent expander aws each baving a series of progressively stepped guiding dies having an interlocking engagement with a grooved slitted sheet, and a ribbed feeding device arranged adjacent each die and having an interlocking and feeding engagement with the sheet.

9. A metal expanding machine including a pair of divergent expander aws each carrying a series of feeding and guiding units progressively arranged in stepped relation, each of said feeding and guiding units including a pair of feed rolls adapted to have an interlocking engagement with the slitted metal blank anda pair of dies having guiding ribs on their opposing faces to register and interlock with the slitted metal blank.

il). In a metal expanding machine including a pair of divergent expander jaws each carrying a series of feeding and guiding units arranged to progressively engage a slitted metal sheet in a line diagonal to the line of feed, each'of said units comprising sheet feeding elements having an interlocking and feeding engagement with the sheet, and stationary die elements also having a istering and interlocking engagement with the sheet.

metal expanding machine including a `)air of divergent expander jaws each carr ig a series of feeding and guiding units arranged in inwardly off-set relation the offsetting being in a line oblique to the line of leed, and said units including ribbed feeding elements having a feeding and interlocking (agement with the metal sheet, and ribbed zionary guides having an interlocking engagement with the metal sheet.

l2. A metal expanding machine including a pair of divergent expander jaws each carrying feeding and guiding means for a gruoved slitted sheet, said feeding and guiding means including upper and lower ribbed feed rolls providing therebetween a channeled feed pass, and upper and lower stationary ribbed dies also providing therebetween a channeled guiding pass.

l5. A metal expanding machine including a pair of divergent expander jaws adaptnd to receive a `previously slitted blank, stationary blank guiding and holding means :it the edges of the jaws, and separate feedin means for advancing the blank over the guiding and holding means.

la. A metal expanding machine includi pair of divergent expander jaws adaptto receive a previously slitted blank, stationary blank guiding and holding means at the edges of the jaws, and separate ribbed feeding devices cooperating with said guiding and holding means.

l5. A metal expanding machine including a pair of expander jaws, ribbed guides for the blank carried by the jaws, and feeding means for advancing the blank over the guides.

i6. A metal expanding machine including a pair of divergent expander jaws adapted to receive a previously slitted grooved blank, guiding means carried by the jaws for said blank and non-cutting feeding elements for advancing the blank over the guides.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HERBERT E. WHITE.

/Vitnesses:

JOHN J. CALVIN, W. MERLE SMITH. 

